AFib Medication – Everything You Need to Know

Medications for atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib)Medications are often prescribed to prevent and treat blood clots which can lead to a stroke. Additional drugs may be prescribed to control heart rate and rhythm in the AFib patient. These medications may also be used in conjunction with other treatments. The heart rhythm can be more difficult to control. The longer you have untreated AFib, the less likely it is that normal rhythm can be reestablished.

Medication options may include blood thinners, rate controllers, and rhythm controllers. Lists included here are not intended to be comprehensive, and we encourage you to revisit our page often to keep up with the newest in AFib medication options.

Preventing Clots with Medication (antiplatelets and anticoagulants)Drugs such as blood thinners are given to patients to prevent blood clot formation or to treat an existing blood clot. Examples include:

Warfarin

Other FDA approved anticoagulants such as dabigitran, rivaroxaban, edoxaban and apixaban (Direct-acting oral anticoagulants or DOACs)

Aspirin (in rarer cases)

Overview of Side Effects

Antiplatelets (aspirin) can increase your risk of bleeding. Even though aspirin can be purchased over the counter, it is important that you do not take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor. Report any of the symptoms stated below to your healthcare provider.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any unusual bleeding or bruising

If you forget to take your daily anticoagulant dose, don’t take an extra one to catch up! Follow your healthcare provider’s directions about what to do if you miss a dose.

Always talk to your healthcare provider about switching from one anticoagulant to another (including changing to a generic version). Even small variations in the amount of the dose of a medication can cause problems.

Always tell you doctor, dentist and pharmacist that you take one of these medicines. This is especially important before you start taking a new medication or have any procedure that can cause bleeding.

If you are taking warfarin, discuss any new medications with your healthcare providers. Many drugs change the effects of these agents on the body. Even vitamins (and some foods) could change the effect.

It is also wise to take extra care with contact sports or any other situation that might risk unnecessary trauma. Here are some things to watch for or report to your physician:

If you have an accident of any kind

If you often find bruises or blood blisters

If you feel sick, weak, faint or dizzy

If you think you are pregnant

If you notice red, dark brown or black urine or stools

If you bleed more with periods

Bleeding gums

Bad headache or stomach ache that won’t go away

Heart Rate Controlling Medications

Beta blockers. These are drugs used to slow the heart rate. Most people can function and feel better if their heart rate is controlled. Read more about beta blockers.

Calcium channel blockers. These medications have multiple effects on the heart. They are used to slow the heart rate in patients with AFib and to reduce the strength of the muscle cell’s contraction.

Some examples are:
Dilitiazem
Verapamil

Digoxin. This medication slows the rate at which electrical currents are conducted from the atria to the ventricle.

Heart Rhythm Controlling MedicationsOnce your heart rate is under control, the next management consideration is usually treating the abnormal heart rhythm with medications to restore the heart rhythm to normal (also known as chemical/pharmacological cardioversion). Significant side effects may occur, and your healthcare provider will most likely want to monitor progress closely.

Sodium channel blockers which help the heart’s rhythm by slowing the heart’s ability to conduct electricity.